Study Finds Diabetics Have Higher Risk of Colorectal Cancer

A study conducted by researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina and presented at the 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACD) examined data from a comprehensive nationally representative sample of patients using the 1997-2003 National Health Interview Survey.

This resulted in a study group of 226,953 patients of which, 5.9% had a history of diabetes.

After researchers controlled for age, race, gender, obesity, alcohol use, tobacco use, and physical activity and adjusted for potentially confounding factors, the researchers found that people with diabetes were 1.4 times more likely to have colon cancer as individuals without diabetes.

According to Dr. Donald Garrow, a member of the research team: "This work is important because it suggests that people with diabetes may be at higher risk of colon cancer. Until we know for sure, diabetics should pay particular attention to their doctor’s recommendations for colorectal screening," The news release from the meeting in Honolulu can be found at:

http://www.acg.gi.org/media/releases/ACG05Release_DiabetesRiskforCRC.pdfThe ACD was formed in 1932 “to advance the scientific study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.” The organization sponsors a number of programs through which consumers can obtain helpful information on GI diseases. Links to those programs can be found at www.acg.gi.org.